By Al Hain-Cole

The hosts are on a fantastic run of form, but welcome a side who have been as good going forward as they have been poor defensively of late and Al Hain-Cole expects entertainment

After a fantastic first-half of the season sees them sitting in second place in Serie A, Lazio are seriously being touted as possible Italian champions for the first time in years.

However, manager Vladimir Petkovic has urged his side to first concentrate on the Coppa Italia, starting with Tuesday’s quarter-final clash at home to Catania.

The Biancocelesti are nothing short of formidable at the Stadio Olimpico, where they have won 12 and lost just one of their 15 matches this season, so it is no surprise that Paddy Power have them as 10/11 (1.91) favourites to emerge victorious tonight.

However, having beaten Petkovic’s men 4-0 at home earlier on this season, the Rossazzurri may be confident of springing a shock in this game, at odds of 3/1 (4.00).

The last two meetings between these two teams in Rome have ended in a draw, so there could be some value to be found in backing a stalemate to occur in this game, at odds of 23/10 (3.30).

Saturday’s goal-less draw against Torino was the first time Rolando Maran’s team have failed to score in seven matches, although they were not helped by an early red card to midfielder Franceso Lodi.

Although the Sicilians’ attacking credentials are impressive, their clean sheet in that match was only their fifth in 26 games this season, so they are unlikely to keep out a home team that have hit just under two goals a game in their own back yard.

With this in mind, a bet on both teams to score looks a relatively safe and well priced bet at 8/11 (1.73), and would have paid out in eight of the visitors’ last nine fixtures.

The man most responsible for Catania’s prolific recent form is Gonzalo Bergessio, who has hit five goals in his last six matches for the club.

The Argentine strker is his team’s top scorer so far this season, and offers exceptional value at 3/1 (4.00) to hit the first goal for his side in the Eternal City.

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.